Monday, July 31, 2017

Marcus Aurelius was from a time period of Roman history ruled by what is now named the Adoptive Emperors. From emperor Nerva on until Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperors adopted as their "son" the next succeeding emperor. This era was known for immense prosperity. However, Marcus Aurelius actually broke the customs of "adopting" able administrators and instead chose his son to succeed him. This caused some issued in history as his son was not as positive for the Roman empire as his father was. This time period has been popularized by the famous Hollywood film, the Gladiator, with Russell Crowe. The fact is that Commodus did fight in the arena, and it made for an interesting story in the film. Most people don't know that coins of Marcus Aurelius and other Roman emperors and empresses can be owned almost on any budget. This guide was designed to show the "adoptive" emperors up to Marcus Aurelius and ends with his son Commodus. This gives you a very great idea of what these ancient coins looked like and the types that were available.

View All the Videos About Ancient Coins Talking About Various Topics of Interest in Ancient Coins

This is my collection of my entire works that I have done up to this point in regards to presenting ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins on video and explaining the historical context they have come from. This is an amazing way to feel the amazing history almost in your hands that may spark your interest in the various topics covered. It would be a great idea to save this article in PDF format with the link at the bottom of this post.

These videos are arranged in a YouTube playlist and when you go there you will be able to choose which videos would interest you, or you can let the whole entire series play one after another after another. This is a great almost "hands-on" way to learn the various topics covered in ancient coin collecting. Click here to start watching the collection. There are also links below the video that take you to an article for the video you are watching.

Overview of the mythological creatures depicted on ancient coins from various myths

Journey to the mythical age of heroes of antiquity. An age filled with fantastic animals. Try not to look at Medusa or you will be turned to stone. Fly into the sky on the winged horse known as the Pegasus and so much more. This guide was designed to show you authentic ancient coins depicting these various creatures.The types of mythical creatures depicted on coins, a list. Click any of the links below and see all the examples of ancient coins I have for that keyword inside my eBay store.

Examples of Authentic Ancient Greek and Roman coins illustrating the various creatures on the list above

Below you will find ancient coins I have used to illustrate the various fantastical creatures of myth on ancient coins. The pictures are clickable, with the picture searching all coins for that keyword. The underlined blue links also search my store for those specific terms. The goal is for to familiarize you with the types available and make it easy for you to find the most interesting coins for you to collect. May you find these coins as enjoyable as I do.

Greek city of Athens in Attica Greece - SilverTetradrachm 21mm (17.13 grams) Struck circa 320-294 B.C. Reference: Svornos-pl.20#5 Head of Athena right, of more advanced style, the eye seen in true profile; she wears crested helmet ornamented with three olive-leaves and floral scroll. Owl standing right, head facing; to right AΘE; to left, olive-twig and crescent.

You may be wondering about what is a great gift for the special people in your life. Did you know that the sweetest word in any language for anyone is their name. Yes! Remembering and saying people's name is more important than remembering any other details. It establishes a connection and makes the person feel special. It is also exciting to talk to a person about the origin of their name as it may mean something very special in their native language. What a lot of people don't know is how ancient, historically significant and important their names really are. Below is a list of names that can be encountered on ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Medieval coins that if given as a gift, would leave a long and everlasting impression and gratitude for such a special personalized gift. The links below are easy to click and they will take you to my eBay store search page and input the name for you, so you don't have to remember any spellings. If you are giving this as a gift, I would be happy to ship it to the person you would like to give it as a gift to, along with a special, customized message you can message you would like to provide them. This way it would make it easy to give such a special gift, to anyone in the world. You can message me on eBay with the special request, providing the specific shipping address and the message you would like to include. Items are shipped quickly and come with a very special certificate of authenticity which allows a beginner or an expert to appreciate the ancient coin you picked out. Lots of blessings to you and your loved ones! List of names:

Friday, July 28, 2017

The ancients were a well-traveled people. They built ships for travel and trade and connected vast parts of the world together. They worshipped gods that were connected to the ocean, placed them on their coins and anything else that they found particularly fascinating was placed on their coins. Just as modern-man fishes, enjoys going to the beach, looking at dolphins and traveling by sea, we are a just continuing a long tradition that stretch the millennia. Below find ancient coins that depict the water theme very well. Click on the pictures and links of the coins to see what is available in my eBay online coin shop. Enjoy!

Collection of ancient coins of the bible depicting the types that were struck in Jerusalem from the times of the bible

This guide is designed to teach people a lot more about ancient biblical coins. Some of the coins explored in this guide are those of John Hyrcanus I, Alexander Jannaeus, Herod the Great, Herod Archelaus, Pontius Pilate and the Roman prefects procurators of Judaea area. The best reference work on the subject is Guide to Biblical Coins by David Hendin. This book goes deep in to the subject and history of the many coins of Jerusalem and coins dealing with the Holy Land, including the towns around Jerusalem. This guide would be interesting for people of both the Jewish and the Christian faith, and for those that would like to study historical ancient coins.

John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan) King of Judaea 134-104 B.C.E Bronze 'Prutah' 15mm (2.13 grams) Jerusalem mint 134-104 B.C. Reference: Hendin 455 Hebrew (Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath. 2 Cornucopias, pomegranate between horns, border of dots.* Numismatic Note: Authentic ancient biblical coin, referred to in the Gospels as the Widow's Mite.

Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan) King of Judaea 103-76 B.C. Bronze 'Prutah' 14mm (1.73 grams) Struck in the mint of Jerusalem Reference: Hendin 473 Hebrew inscription (Yehonatan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews) surrounded by wreath. Double cornucopiae adorned with ribbons; pomegranate between horns

Hosmonean King of Judaea Mattathias Antigonus (Mattatayah), 40 to 37 B.C.E. Bronze 23mm (14.32 grams) Struck at Jerusalem: 40-37 B.C. Reference: Hendin 481; AJC I, Group U Double cornucopia with Hebrew (Mattatayah the high priest and council of the Jews), around and between horns. Ivy wreath tied at top with ribbons handing down, BACIΛEΩC ANTIГONY (of King Antigonus).

Herod I the Great Jesus Christ Birth King Judaea Jerusalem Biblical Coin i44096

Coin of Biblical Jerusalem, Lifetime of Jesus Christ under Tiberius - Roman Emperor: 14-37 A.D. - by Valerius Gratus, Procurator of Judaea 15-26 possibly 15-18 A.D. Bronze Prutah 17mm (1.65 grams) Jerusalem mint, Year 2 of Reign of Tiberius, 15/16 A.D. Reference: Hendin 1333 IOY ΛΙA (Julia - Julia Livia, mother of Tiberius) within wreath. LB (year 2 = 15/16 A.D.) flank upright palm branch.* Numismatic Note: This coin with the name Julia is in honor of the mother of Tiberius, Livia, whom was the wife of first Roman emperor Augustus. Tiberius was the adopted son of Augustus, being the son of Livia from her first marriage. Augustus and Livia never had children together. The Procurators of the province of Judaea under the Romans were Coponius, Marcus Ambibulus, Valerius Gratus, Antonius Felix and Porcius Festus.

Agrippa I - King of Judaea: 37-44 A.D. Bronze 'Prutah' 18mm (3.42 grams) Struck in the Jerusalem mint Year 6, 41/42 A.D. during the time of Emperor Claudius Reference: Hendin 553 3 ears of barley. (Symbol of fertility of the land.) Umbrella-like canopy with fringes, Greek legend "of King Agrippa". (The Umbrella like canopy is attributed as being a symbol of power.)

Antonius Felix prefect under Claudius 52-60 A.D. Bronze Prutah 17mm (1.86 grams) from the mint of Jerusalem 54 A.D. Reference: Hendin 1348 (5th Edition) NEPW KΛAY KAICAP (Nero Claudius Caesar - son of Claudius); two oblong shields and spears crossed. BPIT (Britannicus - younger son of Claudius) above; LIΔ KAI (year 14 of Caesar = 54 A.D.) in fields; six-branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates.* Numismatic Note: This is a rare type bearing the name of Britannicus, son of Claudius. Nero also has his name on it. Nero was the adopted son of Claudius by his marriage to Agrippina Jr. Rare and desirable type.

First Jewish-Roman War "Great Revolt" Bronze Prutah 18mm (2.58 grams) Year II of the Jewish War Jerusalem mint: 67-68 A.D. Reference: Hendin 661 Amphora with broad rim and two handles; around Hebrew inscription for Year 2. Vine leaf on a branch and the Hebrew inscription: 'The Freedom of Zion'.* Reference: You are bidding on an authentic coin struck by the Jews revolting in Jerusalem, which led to the sacking and destruction of the Second Temple.

First Jewish-Roman War "Great Revolt" Bronze Prutah 16mm (2.29 grams) Year III of the Jewish War Jerusalem mint: 69-70 A.D. Reference: Hendin 664 Amphora with lid and two handles; around Hebrew inscription for Year 3. Vine leaf on a branch and the Hebrew inscription: 'The Freedom of Zion'.* Reference: You are bidding on an authentic coin struck by the Jews revolting in Jerusalem, which led to the sacking and destruction of the Second Temple. The year III coin is much more rare than the year II, which was possibly struck even within months of the end of the war.

HADRIAN Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem) Ancient Roman Coin RARE i21770

Hadrian - Roman Emperor: 117-138 A.D. - Bronze 22mm (9.19 grams) of Aelia Capitolina circa 130-138 A.D. Laureate head right. Tyche seated left, holding phiale & cornucopiae.* Numismatic Note: This interpretation that this coin is from Aelia Capitolina (Jersualem) is due to the several letters on the reverse in the field to left which I understand as AEL. The style of this type also has lead me to this interpretation. Very rare and highly coveted type.